Smart Russell Square Reviews

Reviews & Ratings Explained

72%

Rating

7455 Total Reviews

71%Value For Money

74%Security

88%Location

74%Staff

66%Atmosphere

68%Cleanliness

63%Facilities

The rating percentage is calculated from customers who booked within the last 12 months.

All ratings and reviews are based on the feedback and opinions of the customers who submitted them and do not express the opinions of Hostelworld.com. This way, you get an up-to-the-minute opinion of just how good a hostel really is. Read our review guidelines »

Very good value for the money: affordable, great location, clean, friendly and helpful staff, enough facilities, convenient breakfast, good atmosphere...
Everything as described, with no surprises. 110% recommended.

Really did not like this hostel. The staff were super unfriendly which does not make for a good first impression. I wanted to pay for my room with credit but the system was down which was super inconvienient. There is also no charm left on the inside of this building it is white and very generic. All the extra little cost add ons for baggage storage and room lockers was also annoying. Was impressed to see the enviromental initiatives taken by the hostel like water conservation in the showers.

Super cramped, toast rooms, with SUPER cramped bathrooms. The atmosphere is generally not good. There are lots of huge groups that came through that used the whole common area. No chance to meet people or interact much.

The 8 female dorm I was in was fine and I actually enjoyed my stay all the girls were really nice and friendly the toilet was small but it was very clean but the small toilet didn't bother me? Breakfast was just ordinary but it was still good and the beds are pretty comfy too, I really enjoyed my stay and will definitely be coming back to stay next month

The bed didn't provide curtain as picture show on the website. Electric plug should provide every bed, it is very inconvenience for the backpacker who want to recharge their electric devices for next day.

Overall a great hostel, it was my first ever and didn't really have much in regards to expectations, but it's right next to a park/square and the underground system, so you're never far away from the destination of your choosing.

Ok...so I have never stayed in a hostel before so had no idea what to expect, but did read reviews prior to my stay.
I thought overall, the hostel was good value for money.
I was on a top bunk, which was very stuffy due to the summer weather, so some fans to circulate the air would be a HUGE improvement...also with being on the top bunk, access to a charging socket was not convenient...but as I see from previous reviews, it IS something you are going to address.

Good central location - can't ask for better. You can save heaps by walking instead of taking the tube to key sights. Standard basic hostel breakfast of toast, cereal and coffee/tea. Big issue of security: the basement room I was in had windows to just below street level with no bars. Windows needed to be kept open in summer, so anyone from the steet could get into our room. Showers are clean but come with the standard timed-push button. Large change room for the men's.

The rooms were badly ventilated. Particularly in Summer, it gets very suffocating with the curtains closed over beds when other room members have the light on.
The washrooms were very tiny, thin walled and had to be squeezed into. Very possible for everyone outside to hear whats going on inside.
The water control in showers could have been user friendly with hot and cold water control.

The smallest room I have ever been in. Described as a twin but was bunk beds. We would not have booked it if we knew this. No where to hang clothes - we had to leave out clothes suitcases. Absolutely no privacy.
I would advise hostelworld to take this hostel off your website. Otherwise your reputation will be affected too.

Great hostel in a very central location. We stayed in a private twin with ensuite which included a toilet/shower. The room was pretty spacious compared to other hostels and was clean and tidy. The walls are quite thin so it could get a little noisy but there are security around to tell people to quieten down if it gets too bad. You also get free breakfast. We would definitely stay here again.

Not a bad stay. Very disappointing to only have one
PowerPoint in a twelve+ person share room. Even though I was already aware of this from reading prior reviews it still made things difficult to be prepared for onward travel.
The larger rooms are very cosy and there isn't a lot of spare space. However the use of curtains on the beds was effective in giving everyone their own space.
Nice location. Very close to the tube station and a nice enough atmosphere in the surrounding area.

I was staying in 9 bed dorm. Which in hindsight should have made me question why it was an odd number but I didn't think of it at the time. The room I was in had triple bunk beds which meant that I was sleeping at a height that was about 1 and a half times my own. As the last person to check into that room I had no choice in bed which is fair enough and didn't have too much difficulty climbing the ladder but it was rather unexpected. It was also incredibly warm in the room. Cheap so it was fine.